Key case



S. SEGAL Feb. 25, 1964.

KEY CASE Filed Oct. 24, 1961 United States Patent O 3,122,199 KEY CASE Samuel Segal, New York, NX., assigner to Segal Products Co., lne., New York, NSY., a corporation of New York Filed Get. 24, 1961, Ser. No. 147,293 2 Claims. tCl. 15G-40) This invention relates to a key case having several individual key retaining loops, and is particularly concerned with means for releasing any selected key, with its retaining loop, without disturbing any other key or retaining loops.

The key case constructed in accordance with the present invention has a particular advantage in connection with parking a car in a garage or parking lot where the ignition key must be left in the car. Many people keep the ignition key in a key case along with several other keys. The removal of a single key from a key case has heretofore always been a bothersome task, even with key cases having individually removable key retaining loops. Most people using an ignition key that is kept in a key case with other keys swing the ignition key pivotaily out or the key case and then snap the covers of the key case closed to hold the other keys out of the Way.

li the driver wishes to take the rest of the keys with him and leave the ignition key in the car, he must remove the ignition key from the ignition lock, along with the key case and the other keys retained therein. He then opens the covers of the key case to obtain access to the means for releasing the key retainers. The key case must then be closed to cover the rest of the keys before it is put back into the persons pocket.

The key case of the present invention permits a driver to drive with the ignition key outside the key case, and with the key case closed to hold the other keys out of the way, just as with conventional key cases. The key case has means accessible from outside the case for releasing the ignition key and its retaining loop without opening the key case.

In one embodiment of the invention the key case is provided with release means projecting through the case, and in another embodiment the release means is adjacent one edge of the key case and may be operated by merely pressing the edges of the key case together. In either embodiment the key case is removed quickly and simply, without any fuss or bother.

T he structure by means of winch the above noted and other advantages of the invention are attained will be described in detail in the following specification, taken in conjunction with the accompanying rawing, showing two preferred embodiments of the invention, in which:

FIG. l is a front elevational view of a key case embodying the invention, showing the key case in closed position;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary front plan View of the key case with the cover flaps in open position;

FlG. 3 is an enlarged cross sectional View, taken along the line 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective View of the key retaining mechanism;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary plan of the key retaining mechanism in locked position;

FlG. 6 is a view, similar to FIG. 5, with the key retaining mechanism in unlocked position;

FIG. 7 is a rear elevational view of another embodiment of the invention, showing the key case in closed position;

FlG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary View of the key retaining mechanism; and

FIG. 9 is a cross sectional View, taken along the line 9-9 or FlG. 8.

Referring to FGS. l to 6 of the drawing, the key case comprises a cover 2 and key retaining mechanism 3.

ice

The cover includes a rear panel 4, two cover aps 5 and 6, and means 7 for holding the cover flaps in closed position. The means 7 may be a snap fastener or any other suitable type of fastener. The cover is preferably leather or any suitable plastic, but a rigid cover may be used, if desired.

The key retaining mechanism includes a metal strip 8 that is riveted to the rear panel 4, as indicated at 9. The metal strip 8 is provided with apertures 1t) for the rivets and with an elongated cutout 11 for a purpose hereinafter described. The upper edge of the metal strip is curved to form a tubular barrel 12 having a plurality of slots 13 for holding individual key retaining loops 14. Any suitable key retaining loops may be used. The loop shown as an example in the drawing has a stem 15 provided with an enlarged head 16 at its free end. The slots 13 are wide enough to receive the stern 15 and to permit free movement of the stem therein, but are too narrow for the head 16 to pass therethrough.

The slots 13 are enlarged near the upper end, as indicated at 17, to provide clearance for the head 16 so that the key retaining loop may be inserted into the slot 13. When the key retaining loops are positioned in the slots 13, they are locked in place by a locking member 18 slidably mounted relative to strip S. The locking member 1S has a plurality of ngers 19 projecting from its upper edge and curved within the barrel 12. The fingers 19 are spaced to conform to the spacing of the slots 13, but are slightly wider than said slots. When the lingers 19 are in closed position they are positioned in registration with the slots 13. ln their closed position, the iingers 19 overlap the edges of the strip S defining each slot and completely block access by the key retaining loop to the enlarged area 17 of the slot, thereby conining the key retaining loop in the narrow portion of slot 13 below the outer end of linger 19. The outer end of finger 19 is notched, as indicated at 2li, to permit pivotal movement of the key retaining loop Within the slot 13. The key retaining loop may be pivotally moved far enough to permit a key secured in a loop 14 to be swung over the upper edge of the key case for use when the key case is in closed position.

The locking member 18 has a straight finger 22 within the elongated cut-out 11 and parallel thereto. A spring 23 is mounted on the linger 22 and bears against a xed lip 24 and an extension 25 integral with the locking member 18. Since the lip 24 cannot move, the spring urges the locking member 18 into its closed position.

The locking member 18 is bent at right angles at one end to form a iiange 26. A stud 27 is secured to the iiange 25 and projects outwardly therefrom. The outer end of stud 27 terminates close to one longitudinal edge of rear panel 4. If one key is positioned outside the key case for use, as in a car ignition, the key case will hang downwardly from said key. A slight iinger pressure may be exerted through the closed key case against the outer end of stud 27, and thereby move the locking member 13 to its open position, in which the key case may be pulled outwardly from the key held in the ignition. As the key case is pulled outwardly from the key, the enlarged area 17 of the slot 13 passes over the enlarged head 16 of the stem 15 of the key retaining loop to separate the key cas-e and the keys therein from the key held in the ignition. If a person wants to remove a key from the case, he may remove the key from its loop in conventional manner, or may press stud 27 inwardly and remove the key with its loop. As soon as the pressure on stud 27 is released the spring 23 moves the locking member 1S back to its locking position.

T he embodiment of the invention shown in FGS. 7 to 9 is essentially the same as the embodiment previously described, and the description will not be repeated. The

same structure will be designated by the same reference numerals. In the embodiment of FIGS. 7 to 9, a stud 28 secured at one end to the locking member` 18 projects through a slot 29 in the back panel 4'. The key case is opened by pressing the stud 28 inwardly against the action ofthe spring 23.

It will'be obvious that the spring 23 may be reversed, i desired. In this case the locking mechanism wiil be released by pressing the stud 28 in the opposite direction. The embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 6 may also be reversed. In this case, the stud 27 would be secured to the opposite end of the locking member 18.

Although I have described a few preferred embodiments of the invention in considerable detail, it will be understood that the description is intended to be illustrative, rather than restrictive, as many details of structure may be modified or changed without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention. Accordingly, I do not desire to be restricted to the exact structure disclosed.

I claim:

1. A key case comprising a cover, a key retaining mechanism rigidly secured to Aone surface of said cover, said key retaining mechanism'including a fixed tubular member having slots for receiving key retaining loops and a locldng member slidable within said tubular member between a key retaining position and a key disengaging position, and a spring bearing against said locking member and urging it toward said key retaining position, and means operable through said cover for sliding said locking member to said key disengaging position against the action of said spring.

2. A key case comprising a cover, a key retaining mechanism rigidly secured to one surface of said cover, said key retaining mechanism inciuding a fixed tubular member having slots for receiving key retaining ioops and a locking member slidabie within said tubular member between a key retaining position and a key disengaging position, and a spring bearing against said locking member and urging it toward said key retaining position, Said cover having a slot in registration with a portion of said locking member, and a stud secured to said locking member, said stud extending through said slot to facilitate manipulation of said locking member when said cover is closed.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,908,846 Howe May 16, 1933 2,114,172 Boden Apr. 12, 1938 2,564,382 Stawsky Aug. 14, 1951 2,630,700 Boden et al. Mar. 10, 1953 2,681,600 Heidecke June 22, 1954 

2. A KEY CASE COMPRISING A COVER, A KEY RETAINING MECHANISM RIGIDLY SECURED TO ONE SURFACE OF SAID COVER, SAID KEY RETAINING MECHANISM INCLUDING A FIXED TUBULAR MEMBER HAVING SLOTS FOR RECEIVING KEY RETAINING LOOPS AND A LOCKING MEMBER SLIDABLE WITHIN SAID TUBULAR MEMBER BETWEEN A KEY RETAINING POSITION AND A KEY DISENGAGING POSITION, AND A SPRING BEARING AGAINST SAID LOCKING MEMBER AND URGING IT TOWARD SAID KEY RETAINING POSITION, SAID COVER HAVING A SLOT IN REGISTRATION WITH A PORTION OF SAID LOCKING MEMBER, AND A STUD SECURED TO SAID LOCKING MEMBER, SAID STUD EXTENDING THROUGH SAID SLOT TO FACILITATE MANIPULATION OF SAID LOCKING MEMBER WHEN SAID COVER IS CLOSED. 